The group stage of the 2018 Copa Libertadores got underway on Tuesday night, and the highlight came in Avellaneda, where Racing hosted Brazilian side Cruzeiro in the Cilindro. With Argentina boss Jorge Sampaoli watching – just two days before he names his squad for upcoming friendlies against Spain and Italy – young striker Lautaro Martínez hit a hat trick (to go with the one he scored last time Sampaoli came to watch him, a couple of weeks ago in the Superliga) as a Racing side who were wonderful going forward but chaotic at the back ran out 4-2 winners. After the game, Martínez showed why he’s going to be a world class talent one day when he told the TV cameras that in spite of scoring three goals on his first appearance in South America’s premier club competition, he was unhappy with his performance; ‘I missed a lot of easy balls.’
Racing 4-2 Cruzeiro
By the way, if you’re not Argentine and you’re wondering who that bloke in the video preview image is, because you recognise him from somewhere but can’t place where: it’s Guillermo Francella, who was one of the main actors in the Oscar-winning Argentine film El secreto de sus ojos.
Hasta El Gol Siempre 